The build-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games is looking up nicely for queen of the tracks Blessing Okagbare.
On Thursday at the ongoing National trials ahead of the Olympic Games, Okagbare stormed to a 10.63 seconds finish to win the women’s 100m title.
It was the eighth title for the 32-year-old Olympics, World and Commonwealth Games medallist.
Okagbare showed a glimpse of what to expect in the semi-final heat when she scorched to a 10.99 seconds finish before lowering it to10.63 in the final.
This is the fastest time ever run in the national championship and the 2014 Commonwealth Games double sprint gold medal winner said she is in great form ahead of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games.
“Since the start of this season, i see myself as very ready,” she said.
“I feel healthy, stronger and like the real Blessing Okagbare again. I am really happy that this time came down today, it will boost my confidence, my faith and trust in God. I just hope this same thing happen at the Olympics.
“I have been working on everything and I hope it counts at the big stage, that’s the Olympics. I was very disappointed at my last meet when I ran 11.2, I was like this is not me, so when they mentioned the trials, I said I am going to be there, not because I just want to run, but because I really want to compete and run well.
“But above all, I am healthier and when you have good health, the confidence will be there, and I am hoping for the best in Tokyo.
“I have to go to the Olympics, do better than I did or better still replicate it, you might not need to run like this to win the Olympics, at the Games you just want to get to the finishing line.”
Apart from Okagbare, rave of the moment Enoch Adegoke also gave fans something that will linger in their memories for a long, long time.
The diminutive sprinter ran a new Personal best time of 10.00s (+1.2) which dwarfs the 10.05 qualification standard set for the Tokyo Olympics.
Other opening day results saw Fatoyinbo Gbenga and Fadekemi Olude winning the 20km Race Work for both men and women respectively.
Follow us on social media
